Winners of the Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award Announced

The Syracuse University Graduate School Programs has announced the winners of the annual Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award.

The winners are Mark Heller, James H.  Henderson, Azra Hromadžić, Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn, Zunli Lu and Erin J. Rand.

The Graduate School annually solicits nominations from graduate students, faculty, staff and alumni for the Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award. This award honors faculty who have a significant, positive influence on graduate education at Syracuse University through their commitment to superior graduate teaching, dedication to departmental and community presence, and research initiatives. The finalists were selected by an interdisciplinary committee of graduate students and are recognized at the Outstanding TA/Excellence in Graduate Education Awards Ceremony and Reception where they will receive a certificate and gift in appreciation of their contribution to graduate education.

The 2017 Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award recipients are:

Mark Heller

Mark Heller — professor of philosophy, and William P. Tolley Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Humanities since fall 2013.

An expert in metaphysics and epistemology and mentor to graduate students and junior faculty, Professor Heller established his uniquely entertaining teaching style by engaging his students in the process of learning and exploring the nature of “things.”

James Henderson

James H. Henderson — associate professor of biomedical and chemical engineering and biology, Bioengineering Graduate Program director.

“Jay” is the principal investigator at the Henderson Lab. Through interdisciplinary efforts between the Syracuse Biomaterials Institute and the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, the lab provides exceptional instruction and mentoring for undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral trainees to advance the body of knowledge and technology in biomedical, mechanobiology and tissue engineering.

Azra Hromadžić — assistant professor of anthropology.

Azra Hromadžić

A cultural anthropologist specializing in political anthropology, ethno-political violence and post-conflict reconciliation, and a truly dynamic instructor, Professor Hromadžić provides “tireless support” for her students and advisees, always leading by example.

Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn – professor of history and senior research associate, Campbell Public Affairs Institute.

Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn

Professor Lasch-Quinn “embodies the rare combination of distinguished scholar, intellectual powerhouse, community builder, teacher, mentor and friend whose generosity of time, thought, spirit and ‘boundless curiosity’ is not confined to the History Department.”

Zunli Lu — assistant professor of Earth sciences and director of the Low Temperature Chemistry Lab.

Zunli Lu

Professor Lu provides his students with learning experiences that tie in the elements of water, rock and life to gain a better understanding of climate systems. He “promotes interdisciplinary collaborations, facilitates discussions and publications, provides expert insight into scientific investigations and crafts a unique personal development path for each of his students.”

Erin J. Rand — associate professor of communication and rhetorical studies and affiliate professor of LGBT Studies.

Erin Rand

An honored scholar and teacher, her expertise lies in queer and feminist theories, rhetorical theory and criticism, and social movements and activism. Professor Rand “balances her kindness with a pragmatic, disciplinary approach and cutting-edge perspective that continues to yield promising results.”